This week in the Big 12: Two more teams begin spring work

Spring football practice will begin in earnest around the Big 12 this week at several schools. Here are several stories that we will be following:

Baylor starts spring practice today and Oklahoma will start its work on Tuesday. The Bears are building for their first bowl appearance since 1994, and the Sooners will attempt to continue the success that has led to an unprecedented three-peat of Big 12 championships coming into 2009.

Kansas, Oklahoma State and Missouri will have their final week off before beginning their spring practices next week. And considering the below-freezing temperatures across the conference this morning, some teams might be working in frigid conditions during their early spring work.

Texas will continue its work with three practices this week after beginning on Friday. After two open practices with big crowds attending both of them, the Longhorns will go behind closed gates this week. Obviously, that's when the real work will start.

It will be interesting to see if South Florida coach Jim Leavitt comes calling for another Big 12 assistant for his vacant coordinator role. Leavitt has already been turned down by Colorado secondary coach Greg Brown and Nebraska linebackers coach Mike Ekeler among the four rejections he's received after Wally Burnham left to become Iowa State's defensive coordinator. Who will be next?

And my best wishes for a speedy recovery go out to Oklahoma redshirt freshman wide receiver Corey Wilson, who remains hospitalized at OU Medical Center in Oklahoma City after he was critically injured in an automobile accident on Friday. His injury makes all of the spring practices and coaching changes seem truly meaningless. Please keep him and his family in your prayers.